TikToker Uwanma Odefa arrived in Tallinn at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic back in September 2021. She learned quickly that greeting random people on the streets was not a thing for Estonians but they love communicating once they are behind the screen.

Who are you and how did you get to Estonia?

I am from Nigeria. I am a bit of a traveller. I go on trips every year, sometimes twice a year. Sometimes I go to Europe when it is cold in the winter. Nigeria is too hot for me. Traveling is the best form of education.

I always knew that at some point I would love to live and work in another country, preferably in Europe. Then covid happened and it seemed as if the world was about to end. I was thinking that I had this dream and I had not done anything about it and that is when I started seriously looking.

I knew it would be Europe. I did not want a country that is loud and very popular or too involved in global politics and all that drama. I wanted a country that held certain values. A small country. (There are at least 222 million people living in Nigeria.) A country that speaks some English.

A friend of mine was about to move to Estonia. Cool. All this digital stuff. Not too populated. I had never been to Estonia, although I had been to Europe. I had never heard of Estonia. I had heard of Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia… but never of Estonia.

I did some research and decided that I will go for it. I started looking for a job. I also wanted to go back to school and do a master’s programme. I wanted to go to Estonian Business School. I did not go there. I went to Mainor instead. A lot of teachers are experts in their field. They are teaching from a real-life perspective. I applied, got an offer, and packed my suitcases. I arrived here 2021 in September.

Why did you choose to learn Estonian?

I wanted to learn Estonian to be able to speak to local people and make friends. We had Estonian language classes in university; it was compulsory. We had the most amazing teacher and she was very patient and it made the class engaging for me and then I had an interest in learning.

I started to learn Estonian in 2022 at school. I did not know about the Settle in Estonia language programme.

I did TikTok live streams and videos. I learned that Estonians are friendly when they are behind the screen. People started to greet me in the shop and on the street.

Then my A1 level classes ended. I tried to find A2 classes in the summer of 2023. I followed the SIE Facebook page. I did not find classes that were suitable for me at the time. My DRP visa had expired. I was looking for a job. And then I wrote to Settle in Estonia and they said ’Send us the A1 certificate!’ They said I cannot learn while I do not have DRP. Then I paid for private lessons; it was quite pricey. In November 2023, I got a job. In February, I got the card and I went back to Settle in Estonia.

I would have preferred learning in person but now I am doing my A2 online. The first teacher set the bar very high.

What do you like about Estonia?

Public services are very easy, accessible, and quick.

We had a lecturer at the university who asked ‘What are you doing here? It is cold, it is dark. ‘I'm like yeah, but life is not just about weather; there is more. For people like us, we have seen sunshine for 30+ years of our lives from January to December. It gets boring.

But sometimes, it is just this crazy wet weather and no sunshine for months here. Just bring your own sunshine or whatever you like!

I remember the dean telling the students, ‘We do not get close to strangers. It is not about you or about you being foreigners. We just like to keep our distance from people, and we do not warm up to people until we review that connection.’ I feel that it makes communication more authentic because if Estonians consider you a friend, it means that you are a true friend.

How has the adaptation process been for you in Estonia? Have the locals welcomed you well?

I have had a few racist comments in Estonia but I do not want to dwell on things like that. I think the very first time and the only time someone has actually called me the N-word to my face was here… Oh my gosh, it was children! This made me sad because they did not realise the impact or significance of what they were saying.

On TikTok, people were telling me to be careful with 12-year-old boys. I was walking towards the indoor car park and they were sort of quiet there. Then, they passed me by and one of them said hello and followed it with a racist insult. I mean you hear it in music, you see it on TV, people called me that on TikTok, but they are typing it so it does not matter. That is different, like anonymous. But now, kids say it to my face… I turned around to them and said, ‘What did you say?’. One of them said, ‘It was not me; it was him’. Then they backed away and I did not feel threatened. These kids need someone to tell them that it is not nice.

Anyway, some people say, ‘Africans are coming to take our jobs. They are coming to live off of our benefits.’ This is interesting because I do not know any dark-skinned person, even an Indian or Pakistani, who lives on benefits. When I was unemployed, I did not take benefits. We are just raised to work, and we do not want to depend on anyone. People also fear that if you get benefits from the state, it will affect your ability to stay here. It might not be accurate, but it just makes us believe that when you apply for permanent residency, maybe they are going to check it. I think it is also quite difficult to get the benefits in Estonia if you have not lived here for years because, for example, if you want to get this unemployment benefit, you must have a history or track record that you have worked continuously for at least the past twelve months. It is not so easy at all – today, I come here and tomorrow I will become dependent on benefits. I think this is also something that some politicians are using to get cheap political points from people who do not know better.

Do you have any suggestions for newcomers?

I have this Estonian friend and she said, ‘Kids are the best way to learn a language. Come hang out with my kids’. They do not speak English and so we had play dates with four-year-olds and six-year-olds, which was very fun. They taught me Estonian. That is very wise because children do not speak a complicated language. I think they speak at the A1 level. They are also very patient and explain something twenty times if needed.

Come with an open mind to Estonia. Make up your mind that you are going to make it work. Focus on the positive. Spread the positive.

The Settle in Estonia Programme is a free educational programme provided by the Estonian state which is intended to help the foreigners who have arrived in Estonia to adapt and become accustomed to local life more easily. We offer courses for people who have come to live or study in Estonia and have lived here for less than 5 years. For example, war refugees to whom Estonia offers international or temporary protection, as well as people who have come to Estonia to work or do business here or relocate with their family member. The adaptation program The Settle in Estonia Programme is free for participants. We offer language training and other courses to help you cope with everyday life in Estonia. Read more and register: https://integratsioon.ee/en/kohanemine. The adaptation programme is co-funded by the European Union and the state budget.

Darja Rovba, a board member of a non-governmental organisation and a participant in our Language Friends programme, and her mentor, communication expert Maria Leis, shared with us their impressions of their spring cooperation.

What were the benefits of participating in the programme? What inspired you to get involved?

Darja: In my opinion, the most effective way to learn any language is primarily through oral language practice. This is also what the programme offered me. We all learned grammar, correct word usage, and sentence structure in school. This is undoubtedly important, but I think we should start from elsewhere. When I moved to Scotland and spent five years there, native speakers often commented how correct my use of language was. At first, this seemed surprising, but then I realised that such grammatically perfect forms are not used in everyday life, so in conversation I appeared like a ‘newly arrived girl’. Therefore, in my opinion, it is more effective to start language learning with simple spoken language and once these basic skills have been acquired, begin with grammar. The most important thing is to overcome the shyness and fear of speaking. It does not matter how many mistakes you make. The more you listen and use the language, the faster your sense of language will develop and you will begin to intuitively choose the right words and constructions. For me, the most valuable form of learning the language was engaging in lively conversations with native Estonian speakers. I feel more confident using Estonian now, relying less on English for word choice and self-expression.

Language Friend: Darja Rovba 

Maria: I am an Estonian patriot and there is nothing more beautiful to me than dedicating some of my time to help even just one person in Estonia speak our national language even better. There were several important things that inspired me to get involved in the programme. First and foremost, language is intertwined with both the identity of my country and my own personal identity. It is an integral part of who I am, something I hold in high regard and deeply respect. I also believe that language is a part of who I am and how I express myself. So, I try to write and speak correctly, avoid foreign expressions, and use correct Estonian in my work. Second, it is important for me that other people around me speak good Estonian. It does not matter what nationality they are. Third, it was important for me to be able to contribute to the preservation of the Estonian language in general through this programme. According to the 2022 census, 84% of the Estonian population speaks Estonian: 67% as a first language and 17% as a foreign language. I very much hope that my contribution has increased the number of Estonian speakers.

Mentor: Maria Leis

What did you like most and what proved to be the main challenge?

Darja: I liked the format and flexibility of the programme. Maria and I could select a convenient time, adjust if needed, and either meet online or at a café (although we have not utilised the latter yet, it remains an option!). I have been very fortunate with my mentor because each conversation turned out to be unique and interesting. We discussed various philosophical and existential topics that were important to us at the time and made us reflect. Alternatively, we simply exchanged impressions from the past week. Maria is great to talk to. Actually, I cannot think of any challenges. I did not feel any pressure during our conversations; on the contrary, I felt curious, grateful, and inspired.

Maria: One positive aspect was that already in the first conversation, I realised that she is my kind of person, so to speak. Darja and I share many interests, she has a good sense of humour, a wide vocabulary, and uses very interesting sentence structures to express herself. I can talk to her about anything. She has also broadened my worldview in several ways – we have talked about international relations, life for non-native speakers in Estonia, and so on. I was really lucky to meet such a pleasant and nice language learner in the programme. I think we have not had any difficult situations. It was only during the first conversation when we both were searching for topics to discuss and trying to get to know each other.

How often and how did you have conversations?

Darja: We mostly had conversations once a week. There were exceptions where a lesson was cancelled, but we made up for it when possible. I am very grateful to Maria for her openness, flexibility, time, readiness, and desire to continue our conversations even after the official deadline. I can confidently say that these conversations have already become part of my weekly schedule.

Why should other language learners participate in the programme?

Darja: It is worth participating in the programme because it is a good experience and an opportunity to improve your skills and find new values. Looking deeper, this programme is not just about practising the Estonian language but also about cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and pushing boundaries (if they exist), both internally and externally. We largely live in a world of conventions (there are no state borders in nature, a fox does not need an ID-card to cross the Latvian border, and rain falls equally on an engineer, a businessman, and a pie seller), and I am glad that programmes like the Language Friends programme help us break out of these conventions and bring our society closer together.

Why is it worthwhile for other Estonian speakers to participate as mentors?

Maria: I believe there are several reasons to participate in the programme as a mentor. First, if things go well, you might meet a very nice person and if things go even better, you might make a new friend, which otherwise can be quite difficult to achieve for someone in their 40s. :) Second, this programme allows you to enrich society with a very small contribution on your part – just one hour of your free time per week. Third, for me, there is the aspect of the Estonian language. Through this programme, I can promote the use of Estonian even more by encouraging my language partner to speak it. Last, and most important, I can genuinely help someone. The results of my efforts are audible and visible—my language partner has become much more confident in speaking Estonian and has significantly enriched their vocabulary from one meeting to the next. This is very important and gives me a very good feeling. I am sure there are many socially sensitive people among us for whom such an initiative, giving back to society, would bring joy to their hearts.

Will you continue your conversations with each other and if so, how, and do you plan to participate in the programme next season?

Darja: Yes, I definitely want to participate in the programme next season! I also shared the news with my friends and they are interested too.

Maria: I entered the programme with high expectations and lots of curiosity. The season is not over for us yet because we continue our weekly meetings. I will definitely participate in the programme next season as well.

The project receives support within project no. 2021-2027.4.07.23-0006 ‘Activities supporting Estonian language learning and civic education’, sub-activity No. 3.4.4.4 ‘Provision of various cultural and leisure activities to support Estonian language learning and practice’, financed by a grant of the European Social Fund+.

From August to November this year, 1,408 returnees and permanent residents of Estonia can start or continue their Estonian language studies free of charge. If you are interested, you can register for the language courses using the self-service of the Integration Foundation from 15 July.

Participants can learn Estonian at both beginner and intermediate levels, or A1, A2, B1.1 and B1.2. The courses start in August this year and end in November. You can participate in the classes online or in person in Tallinn, Tartu, Sillamäe, Jõhvi, Kohtla-Järve, Narva and Lüganuse Parish. 

Those interested in learning Estonian can choose the course most appropriate for their language level, the locations of the lessons, and their schedule. You can register for the selected courses using the self-service on the website of the Integration Foundation from 15 July.

Registration for the courses is open until the groups are full and closes the day before the course starts. Should you have any further questions, please contact the advisers at the Integration Foundation at info@integratsioon.ee or call 800 9999 free of charge.

Up to 1,408 returnees and permanent residents of Estonia can participate in these courses. There are 76 courses in total and they are organised by the Integration Foundation. The language training is carried out by the teachers of Algus OÜ, Kersti Võlu koolituskeskus OÜ and Sihtasutus Tartu Rahvaülikool, which were selected through a process of public procurement.  

The courses are intended for returnees and permanent residents of Estonia. If you are a newly-arrived immigrant, the Integration Foundation offers you other language learning opportunities within the adaptation programme Settle on Estonia. Information on all possible language learning opportunities is available on the website of the Integration Foundation and Facebook page. 

MORE INFORMATION 

• The courses take place: in Tallinn at levels A1, A2, B1.1 and B1.2; in Tartu at levels A2, B1.1 and B1.2;  in Sillamäe at levels B1.1 and B1.2; in Jõhvi at level B1.2; in Kohtla-Järve at levels A2, B1.1 and B1.2; in Lüganuse at level B1.1; in Narva at levels A1, A2 and B1.1, online ​​at levels A1, A2, B1.1 and B1.2.

• An interview with Jana Tondi, the manager for language education, with detailed information about the Estonian language courses offered by the Integration Foundation: link.

Jana Tondi, Head of Language Learning Activities of the Integration Foundation, explains which Estonian language courses will be available this year. She will also detail how returnees and permanent residents can register for courses that take place from August to November.

• How do you support people who want to become fluent in Estonian?
• What kinds of Estonian language courses do you organise?
• Who can register for a language course?
• What does participation in a language course entail? 
• Who should participate in Estonian language courses in your opinion?
• What should you do before registering for a language course?
• Who can register for which language courses in July 2024?
• Where can returnees and permanent residents learn about the language courses taking place from August until November?
• How can I search for a language course in the self-service?
• How is my registration for a language course confirmed?
• What should I do if I cannot participate in a language course that I selected? 
• What is required for the completion of a language course?
• What kinds of other Estonian language learning opportunities do you offer?
• How can I register for an activity that supports language learning?
• What kind of independent study options do you recommend?
• What should I do to be successful in learning Estonian?

How do you support people who want to become fluent in Estonian?

We offer Estonian language courses to all adult Estonian residents whose first language is not Estonian and support language learning with various activities, give advice on issues related to acquiring Estonian language, and provide solutions that support independent language acquisition. All these options are free. The website of the foundation contains general information and we announce the options we offer through our self-service and social media.

What kinds of Estonian language courses do you organise?

We offer free Estonian language courses for levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2 in various locations in Estonia and online. The Estonian language courses are provided by our Estonian Language Houses and we also organise courses at language schools. We welcome people who want to learn Estonian in the Estonian Language Houses in Narva, Tallinn, Kiviõli, and Paldiski. Language schools are selected from all across Estonia through public procurements.

Who can register for a language course?

The selection of the language course depends on the legal status of the learner.

Returnees and permanent residents of Estonia are welcome to take part in Estonian language courses for levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2. The courses start with new groups twice a year (in January and August). Our second study season will begin in August and permanent residents can register for courses in our self-service starting from 15 July. More details are available on the website of the Integration Foundation and the social media accounts of the Estonian Language Houses.

Newly arrived immigrants (who have come to Estonia as regular immigrants, under temporary protection or international protection less than 5 years ago) are welcome to participate in Estonian language courses at levels A1, A2, and B1. If you are interested, you can register on the website of the adaptation programme. All details are available on the website of the Integration Foundation and the social media account of the programme.

People who are interested in acquiring Estonian citizenship are welcome to take part in Estonian language courses for levels A1 to B1. These options are available in our self-service in July, August, and September. You can learn about the requirements for participating in a course on our website at https://integratsioon.ee/en/language-training-apply-estonian-citizenship.

What does participation in a language course entail? 

Registering for a language course comes with an obligation to study diligently from the beginning of the course until its end, actively participate in lessons, and also learn independently.

Starting from January 2024, the total volume of Estonian language courses from level A1 to level B1 is 500 academic hours. The course loads per language levels are as follows: level A1 – 100 academic hours, level A2 – 150 academic hours, level B1.1 – 120 academic hours, and level B1.2 – 130 academic hours.

The volume of independent learning depends on the level: at least 50 academic hours are recommended for levels A1 and A2 and at least 40 academic hours for levels B1.1 and B1.2. All efforts made by the learner to use their new skills and vocabulary are taken into account, such as revising lesson materials, finishing exercises that were not finalised during a lesson, or completing an exercise to practice and check new material.

Who should participate in Estonian language courses in your opinion?

You should sign up for a language course if you are convinced that you can participate in all of the lessons during four months of this year, from August to November. For that, it is necessary to find a language course with an appropriate level that has lessons on days and at times that suit you. You need to decide whether you participate in an online course or attend in-person lessons. Acquiring a language is not compatible with other tasks (such as attending a meeting or serving customers) or leisure activities (such as a workout or cleaning). Therefore, you should inform your family and employer of your decision to participate in a course so you could take part in lessons unhindered.

What should you do before registering for a language course?

First and foremost, we recommend you think through how a language course would fit into your daily routine. You should also analyse your language skills to pick a course at an appropriate level. For this, we recommend that a student should select a course at a level that follows the one that they took previously. For example, if you have completed a level A1 course, then you should pick a level A2 course, not A1, B1.1 or B1.2. Once you have completed a course at level B1 or B1.1, you should continue studies at level B1.2.

Who can register for which language courses in July 2024?

Starting from 15 July, permanent residents can register for Estonian language courses in various cities or online:

• Estonian language communication courses for levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2 in Tallinn

• Estonian language communication courses for levels A2, B1.1, and B1.2 in Tartu

• Estonian language communication courses for levels B1.1 and B1.2 in Sillamäe

• Estonian language communication courses for level B1.2 in Jõhvi

• Estonian language courses for levels A2, B1.1, and B1.2 in Kohtla-Järve

• Estonian language courses for level B1.1 in Lüganuse

• Estonian language courses for levels A1, A2, and B1.1 in Narva

• Estonian language courses for levels A1, A2, B1.1, and B1.2 online

All the aforementioned language courses begin in August and end in November. Lessons are conducted by language schools X, selected through a public procurement.

You can choose a suitable course and register for it in our self-service while it still has openings, or at the latest, up to a day before the course starts.

Where can returnees and permanent residents learn about the language courses taking place from August until November?

This information is available in our self-service on the ‘My services’ tab through the services search (language course/special course). When you click on a course, information is displayed with a short description of the course, its schedule, teacher, and contact details of the organiser of the course. Ask for detailed information about the contents and general organisation of a course from the organiser of the course. Their contact details are provided in the content description of the specific course in the self-service portal.

How can I search for a language course in the self-service?

Language courses can be selected in the self-service based on the name of the service (‘Language course’), starting date of a course, its level and location. 

How is my registration for a language course confirmed?

If you have chosen a suitable language course or other event and pressed the green "Register" button to register for it, you have registered for the course (event) and you will receive an automatic reply to your e-mail address (make sure that the correct e-mail address is included with the data).

What should I do if I cannot participate in a language course that I selected? 

A language learner can withdraw from and cancel a course in the self-service, but no later than one day before the course starts. You should inform the teacher and the language school of your decision to withdraw from the course.

This way, someone else can still register for the opening – either through the self-service or with the help of our staff. In this case, you have about two or three weeks after the start of the course to register.

What is required for the completion of a language course?

After completing a course successfully, a certificate is issued to the student. You need to participate actively in lessons and pass the final test to receive the certificate. The contents of the course and requirements for completing a course are explained in the description of the language course, which are available in our self-service.

What kinds of other Estonian language learning opportunities do you offer?

In addition to language courses, we offer various activities that support language learning, such as special courses, Estonian language and culture clubs, language cafés, educational programmes, and field trips. You can learn and practice Estonian by participating in these. 

Special courses support language learning at levels A1–B1; more information on them is available in the short course descriptions in our self-service. 

Language cafés are designed for Estonian language learners at level A2 and up. The cafés offer support for learning and practising Estonian before starting a language course or for consolidating your knowledge after you have completed one. The meetings give you an opportunity to communicate with your peers on everyday topics in a more relaxed environment. We plan to open new cafés in the second half of the year at the latest. 

Estonian language and culture clubs are open to learners of Estonian who are at levels B1, B2, or C1. The club encourages people to speak Estonian freely and to continue learning, as the meetings offer not only language learning, but also a chance to practice the language in its environment, including through joint activities, such as workshops or field trips. We plan to open new clubs in the second half of the year. 

Educational programmes are also suitable for language learning, as they provide opportunities to practise listening, speaking, and reading in depth, and to acquire knowledge about Estonia’s cultural diversity (e.g. art, architecture, nature, society, history, language, culture).

How can I register for an activity that supports language learning?

Information is available on the website of our foundation in the language course calendar and on the social media account of the Estonian Language House. You can register for various activities through our self-service. 

What kind of independent study options do you recommend?

Independent study materials are available for language learners on the website of the foundation, including, for example, an e-course in Estonian at https://www.keeleklikk.ee. 

What should I do to be successful in learning Estonian?

Study, study, study!